Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-03

Washington, and much greater than that
Of all the other daily papers here added
together.
There is evidently an unfriendIy feeling between
The Commissioners and part OF the Citizens Com
nittee that threatens to interfere seriously with
the OF plans for the welfare OF the District
TO be presented 20 the Congress which Will soon
assemble. Immediate evidence OF this feeling is
found in the unwise and inflated charge OF
a diversion OF appropriations" made against the
Commissioners at the last meeting OF the Citizens
Committee, and in the stormy interview between
the Commissioners and the subcommittee on
streets. To what extent IL IS true, as suggested
On the one side, that this hostility has been
originated and fostered by few selfserylng indl-
viduals who, In order TO attract public attention
to themselves to crafty personal spite, or TO over
turn the present form OF government, would sacri-
ice every public interest," or to what extent 1t Is
rue as suggested on the other side, that the un-
pleaSantness Is due TO the restiveness Of auto
cratic government under reasonable criticism is
matter OF less to the public than the aO5O
lutte necessity which exists OF causing such quar-
rels 70 cease. This community demands, in simple
sef-protection, that IL be not represented before
Congress by snarling, back-biting. contradictory
agents, confusing legislators and neutralizing one
anothers labors; and TO avoid this state of things
It asks Of all its representatives thought
before action, moderation and self-restraint. The
people OF washington have several mediums or
agencies through which they present their needs
to the body having exclusive Jurisdiction over
them. Among these agencies are citizens aSSoci-
atoms the local press and the Commissioners. To
the extent that these mediums speak or act either
officially or voluntarily, for the people Of Wash
ton they are held responsible TO and by that peo-
PIE. The individuals and organizations which
play the part of public thpeces or representa-
tives viii not be permitted to endanger the inter
ests OF the city by petty, personal sluabbles.
The people OF all parts Of Washington with press
ing needs to be satisfied Will call them promptly
and sharply TO account, and the greater the bur
den under which any particular portion OF
the people labor the more emphatic the pro-
test from that portion against the paralysis to
public effort which comes from private wrangling.
=. The people of South Washington and parts of
East and North Washington, for instance wish es-
pecially TO be relieved of the long-standing rail-
road grievance, the obstruction OF their streets
and the public reservations They need, in order
to contend successfully before Congress with two
powerful corporations, the hearty and united as
sstance OF every other part of the city, OF citi-
fens committee representing all sections. of the
local press OF the District Commi5sioners-in
short, OF every agency which they can possibly
bring TO bear in their behalf. 1t would be gross
Dlunder their part permit the needless allen
alton Of any possible ally in the hard and doubt
fui battle ahead, OF which the result means so
much to them. They have also In this grievance
powerful motive tosuppress with al their
strength mischievou5 wrangllng between
the different branches Of their army OF friends,
and ugly epithets.
The south and East sections, too, have especial
need OF street Improvements. The tendency in all
parts OF the city and with the commissioners is to
recognize and meet this need IL would be folly
for the people Of these sections TO permit any OF
their representatives TO change the gradual
acquiScence OF influential northwest Washington
into active opposition to their plans, and the CON-
missoners' good VIII into prejudice, by eneourag-
Ing the berating Of these officers and this section
FOR fayoritism shown the latter the former in the
past. and the mOck-heroic denunciation OF such
favortism as anillegal diversion Of appropriations
The harmony among their public servants or
representatives which these sections especially
need is also desired by the people OF Washington
In general The citys health requires the speedy
reclamation OF the fats and the development and
extension OF the water and sewerage systems.
District building. city post Office and a number
of new school houses should be secured.
space Is lacking to enumerate the
general needs OF Washington. Their
name Is legion. Concerted and united action by
Commissioners. Citizens Committee and the local
press will be necessary TO give the slightest
promise OF success In securing any considerable
portion Of what Is needed from Congress.
The people viii see TO IL that the necessary
harmony Is secured among the army OF public
workers. or know good reason why the prospects
OF the city should be injured by its absence. II
citizens committee, voluntarily constituted in
stead Of winning public confidence for itself, and
friends for the city, by wise moderation and SELF
restraint and by working disintereStedly to adj
vance the interests OF Washington, puts on airs OF
authority, permits the qualification OF the per-
sonal spites Of beigerent individuals to outweigh
all considerations Of wisdom and eXpetiency and
thus unnecessarily arouSeS antagonists which
endanser the accomplishment OF those plans
for the future In which this city is vitality inter-
ested then 1t Will lose public approval It's breath
Of life, and VIII rapidly fall TO pieces. II Commits
soners instead OF cooperating heartily with other
agencies working for the public good stand con-
ternptuousiy aloof, sheer al press and people, and
ignore citizens associations as self-constnuted
and unknown TO the law, the people have 1t In
their power TO make life Tor them not worth liv-
Ing and to drive sensitive officials 10 that extreme
desperation which results in Official suicde-a
resignation.
TIE note Of warning from the people OF Wash
fngton 20 all their public servants AMI representa-
rives. press, citizens associations and Commits
sioners, Is: "Quit fighting and secret stabuing In
the ranks Sink personal differences, born OF 1eal-
ousy, copceit, arrogance or spite, stand shoulder
20 shoulder In the great campaign which is to
bring additional health beauty, and prosperity to
Washington, and honor to all who fieh at faithfully
under her banner
Mr. Powderly-s suDuorrers In the Knf1htS NJ